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Margaret Liddell

Margaret Liddell was born Margaret Jane Younger Hastings on 12 April 1928 in Berwick-upon-Tweed. She was the only child of middle-aged parents; her father had given up agricultural engineering work the year before due to ill health, and her grandparents died before she was born. She (pictured below right as a child) often wished for a brother or sister but was encouraged to make close friends instead.

Her father was born in Berwick. His mother had died when his sister was born, when he was 4; he lived with his father and kept in touch with his sister, who was fostered after her birth. Margaret's mother was born in South Shields. Her father was originally a freeman of Berwick, but lived in Tyneside as a metal moulder for many years. He retired back to Berwick, where his wife opened a small general store. Margaret's mother left Newcastle, where she was a housekeeper, to help her.

Margaret was educated at Berwick Junior Church of England school until she was 11, then attended Berwick Grammar School until she was 16. She enjoyed primary school, but in secondary school felt she really had to work to keep up. She did gain the Durham University school leaving certificate with 4 credits and 2 passes. She would have loved to train in a children's hospital, but she was needed at home as her father died when she was 13.

Margaret as a child She went to work in a wholesale grocers, first packing tea, coffee and confectionery and then in accounts. When her mother died in 1947, she moved to Glasgow to live with an aunt and uncle, and worked in several accountant's offices until her marriage in 1954. Her husband was a grocery manager, then a sales representative for a major food manufacturer until his retirement. They have 7 children - 3 sons and 4 daughters - and 14 grandchildren. When her children were old enough, Margaret went back to work, spending 4 years as a nursing auxiliary in a maternity hospital and then working in clerical positions including wage preparation.

The first place Margaret lived was in 2 rooms in an old tenement building without indoor plumbing which belonged to her grandfather. Her first married home was a sublet unfurnished room, which she hated as the landlady was always complaining! Then she and her husband moved to a tenement flat which was pulled down in 1964. They were re-housed in a council house in Knightswood, where their daughter still lives today. When all the children had grown up and left home, they retired to Deaconsbank.

Margaret attended Methodist churches for many years, until her family became involved in organisations in the Church of Scotland. Her husband has been very much involved with the Boys' Brigade for the last 45 years, and she has helped with all his secretarial work as well as for some years being a Community Council member, secretary and chairperson. She is very interested in family history and enjoys reading. She hopes to have a closer relationship with her grandchildren as they grow older.